Look for an eggplant with smooth, deep purple skin that shines.
The area where the stem was should be green, not brown.
When gently pressed, the eggplant should spring back, so it should not be soft or mushy.
Joy Howard
Also, it’s important not to cut the eggplant until ready to use it.
Once exposed to air, the flesh oxidizes quickly and turns brown.
EatingWell’s Eggplant Parmesan
Our breaded eggplant recipe is baked for crispy results with fewer calories.
Joy Howard
Plus, the grilled veggies taste extra-good fresh off the fire in this easy gnocchi recipe.
Toss with fresh plum tomatoes, green olives and capers and you have a simple, tasty sauce.
We like the eggplant pasta sauce over angel hair pasta, but any pop in will work.
Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a mixed green salad.
Opt for spicy Italian sausage if you like the heat!
Serve these mini pizzas with a green salad on the side to complete the meal.
This dish can be prepared year-round but is particularly flavorful with sweet late-summer tomatoes and eggplant.
Serve this family-friendly baked pasta with a salad and pour the adults a glass of Chianti.
Baked Breaded Eggplant
This breaded eggplant is baked to perfection with a crunchy outside and soft interior.
Joy Howard
It’s wonderful dipped in marinara.
Easy Eggplant Stir-Fry
This eggplant stir-fry is easy to make.
Jalapeno peppers can vary from mild to very spicy.
If you oughta cut the heat, opt for small sweet peppers in their place.
They’re the perfect appetizer for Italian night!
Dip these crispy fries into a big hot bowl of your favorite marinara.
Eggplant Lasagna Rolls
Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will devour these comforting lasagna rolls.
We use thinly sliced eggplant in place of pasta to cut the carbs.
Preroasting the eggplant helps develop the flavor and softens the slices for easy rolling.
Eggplant Rollatini Is Packed with Protein
This tender eggplant rollatini will melt in your mouth.
Double-baking the eggplant helps soften the eggplant slices for rolling.
A hunk of toasted whole-grain bread completes the meal.
Chili powder, coriander and cumin may also be included in some za’atar blends.
If plums aren’t in season, try another stone fruit for sweetness.
Tomatoes are another good alternative.
Harissa gives the creamy sauce a little kick.
Here, grilled eggplant acts like a sponge, soaking in that addictive sweet-sour sauce as it rests.
Cut large eggplant into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
Feta & Olive Stuffed Eggplant
This stuffed eggplant is filled with veggies and flavors of the Mediterranean.
The dish is easy to pull together and the addition of cumin gives it a sweet, earthy note.
You’d never guess that within this comforting casserole hides a layer of thinly sliced eggplant.
Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Margaret Monroe Dickey
The thin slices become tender when roasted and add a subtle savory note.
Serve these stuffed eggplants as a light dinner along with a big salad.
Air-Fryer Eggplant
This air-fryer eggplant is crispy on the outside with a tender middle.
Greg DuPree
you’re free to fit more slices in the basket when you use smaller eggplant.
Dip these crispy slices in marinara or pesto, or drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Jacob Fox
